Pulina Exclusive Interiors, on the sidelines of the Monaco Yacht Show 2023, presented the latest innovations in the use of biotechnological materials for Yacht Interior Design, as a concrete answer to the yacht industry’s environmental responsibility towards our seas. (Here all our posts about Pulina).
Tuscan architect Alessandro Pulina, founder of Pulina Exclusive Interiors, in conjunction with the Sant’Anna Institute in Pisa through LAB11, has developed the ambitious project “Aligned with Sustainability”, which promotes the use of new materials developed through biotechnology research, with the involvement of five Italian companies working in this industry and aiming for responsible and realistic sustainability to achieve a more ecological future. The idea is to use materials produced with biotechnology in yacht interior design to make different and informed choices, supported by across-the-board research. As well as reducing emissions, there is the need to find solutions that make alignment possible with other industries that have already achieved significant results in terms of environmental protection.
“The yachting industry is making great strides in this direction. It is a challenge that requires a major effort, and the only goal must be to protect the planet,” says Pulina. “This is our contribution. We have finally found the way to make a difference in an area in which there is much research and many promises are made, but still nothing revolutionary. With the collaboration of LAB11, we are conducting a market research project in Italy that aims to identify businesses with an interest in the use of biotechnology materials in the yachting industry, and now, with them, we are introducing solutions on board that will finally represent a green breakthrough”.
Pulina and Cantalupi Light Engineering
The event was promoted by Cantalupi Light Engineering, the storied Tuscan company that has made sustainability its core value. Attending the Monaco event was Alessandro Bedini, Head of Marketing and Communications, who explained how Cantalupi was a pioneer of LED lighting in the yacht industry back in 2005, and how since 2012 this is the only technology produced by the company.
“We aim for concrete sustainability that doesn’t focus exclusively on consumption, but refers to a much broader vision encompassing packaging, the use of fine materials for production, the circular economy, integration with automation systems, and the positive impact of work on the community. Our LEDs, which have a very high CRI (Colour Rendering Index), make it possible to reduce the number of lighting units on board; to monitor the heat produced and reduce its impact with the cooling system; to control the temperature according to the light outside; and to optimise the light by means of volume sensors. The focus on sustainability can also be seen in Cantalupi’s signature timeless design, ensuring that product have a long life by not chasing after fashion trends.We are truly more than happy to be able to support Alessandro Pulina in this project that is perfectly in line with our strategic plan”.
The “Aligned with Sustainability” project is: Artep, which produces made to measure rugs using natural materials; Ohoskin, a Sicilian company that transforms orange and prickly pear sub-products into an alternative material to animal leather; Rada, a Forlì-based company that produces fabrics with natural fibres and recycled materials; and VGHN, the Florentine hemp processing company.
Trying to raise awareness in the yachting industry
According to Artep CEO Riccardo Meglioranzi, “it is important to raise awareness in the yachting industry about the need for a return to artisan products made with highly sustainable new generation or natural materials. We use materials that require less water in the dyeing process, don’t release microplastics during washing, and are biodegradable.
They are joined by new generation materials such as certified Tencel, a fibre obtained from eucalyptus wood pulp, and materials such as Sari Silk, a silk recycled from waste fabric produced in the process of making saris, the traditional garments worn by Indian women. In addition to this, we use high-performance yarns recycled from plastic, which have particularly interesting applications in the yacht industry because they have perfect properties for outdoors use. Our in-house production puts us in a strategic position in terms of this project.” Alessandro Scuderi, CMO of Ohoskin, tells us about a 2019 startup in Sicily.
“It all started with the idea of using a patented circular economy process to produce an alternative to leather from agricultural sub-products, and in particular waste products from prickly pear pruning and orange pressing activities, combined with recycled plastic. To produce this bio-based material, we use only regenerated products, resulting in a fully recyclable material. Our products have been successfully tested in yachting applications.” His words are echoed by Davide Ravaglioli, General Manager of Rada, a Brianza-based company that supplies leading brands such as Cassina, Flexform and Kartell. “At this event we presented Reviva, a project that uses recycled plastic to produce high-quality fabrics with characteristics suited above all to outdoor applications and therefore ideal in yachting. And we will soon be presenting Orange Fiber, another ambitious project to produce fabrics from orange waste.”
Concluding, VGHN (Very Genuine Hemp Nature) founder Paolo Quirici tells us about a very interesting event for the entire Interior Design segment. “Our healthy and safe products are made from hemp mulch, a material that saves a considerable amount of water during cultivation and requires no pesticides. When you remember that a hectare of land planted with hemp produces as much oxygen as 25 hectares of forest, you realise the importance of this plant that regenerates the soil by aligning all the natural minerals, is antibacterial, antifungal and fireproof, and shields against electromagnetic waves. We are enthusiastic about this collaboration, which promises to herald in important new products.”
